What tape to use for TASCAM MSR-16? Just won on ebay...

[Seeker of Rock]

Apparently I have a TASCAM MSR-16 on the way. Need to buy some tape to check it out when it arrives, as well to record once I get settled into it. I was told Ampex 456, and a couple of others. I don't know about numbers on tape and this it the first time using reel. What should I look out for and any ideas on where I should buy it?

 

[SteveMac]

Apparently I have a TASCAM MSR-16 on the way. Need to buy some tape to check it out when it arrives, as well to record once I get settled into it. I was told Ampex 456, and a couple of others. I don't know about numbers on tape and this it the first time using reel. What should I look out for and any ideas on where I should buy it?

Cool, I wonder if it's that one I was just looking at. I'd say Quantegy 456 but it depends on what it was set up for. Which is probably 456. That's the norm. Someone else here will probably tell you more about it.

Check in on American Musical Supply they're were supposed to be getting more 1/2" tape in.

Congratulations!

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Someone else had mentioned 456 too. Thanks. A little steep at $910, but I still believe in analog, and had to step up from my 488 MKII. I need tape and a board. Any ideas on a cheap, used mixing console? Just for my use, btw.

 

[SteveMac]

Someone else had mentioned 456 too. Thanks. A little steep at $910, but I still believe in analog, and had to step up from my 488 MKII. I need tape and a board. Any ideas on a cheap, used mixing console? Just for my use, btw.

I'm not sure if that's steep or not. It's still worth it.

I've never got up to 16 tracks analog YET. Sorry, I'm not sure what the best way to go with that would be.

 

[arjoll]

Someone else had mentioned 456 too. Thanks. A little steep at $910, but I still believe in analog, and had to step up from my 488 MKII.

Its a good jump but a nice recorder. In the early 90's they were NZ$10,000 new, back then that was about US$5,000 so you haven't really done too badly.

Factory settings are for 456 or one of the compatible ones.

I need tape and a board. Any ideas on a cheap, used mixing console? Just for my use, btw.

Something like this would do the job nicely (multiply by 0.7 to get US price). You should be able to find something a bit more local to you though! I'm not really familiar with all of the Tascam mixers but the more experienced people here (cjacek, A Reel Person, Beck, Ghost of FM) seem to swear by them.

Cya
Andrew

 

[Seeker of Rock]

I got up to the need for extra tracks and didn't want to bounce with 8. Only once, but I if I'm gonna upgrade, I would rather have and not want than want and not have. If stepping up, I though that was a good call. Now given, the tsr8 gets twice the tape width that the MSR does, but, as with my 488, I just double up the tracks by recording on two with the important (drums, vocals) Guitars are doubled by two separate sessions, of course. Embelishments are where the add'l 8 (may) come into play.

Hope the machine is as the seller says...asked the best questions I knew how, and generally felt comfortable with the answers. I am a simple e-bayer, not an e-bay monster, and have yet to have a bad experience...we'll see with this one.
SteveMac, you saw the photos of the heads and rollers...what do you think?

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Yeah, A Reel Person and Ghost have both gien good advice to me. I still don't understand the number "456" though. Maybe you can elaborate...is this a type of bias or width or mill?
Thanks again for new-comer to reel
PS---Anyone know what section should I ask about cheap (temp) boards? Of my short-lived HR frequency, I have never had to ask this question...but I guess I do now. Pres will eventually come into play, but for now I have a JoeMeek recording channel...until I deal with something other than my DM Pro and multiple drum channels, probably not that important right now.

 

[SteveMac]

SteveMac, you saw the photos of the heads and rollers...what do you think?

The rollers look fine. Those are easy to replace anyway. I can't tell about heads from that picture it's kind of blurry maybe someone else can tell. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7326374529&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1


One good thing is he's going to have it professionally packed. You don't want the thing in pieces when you get it. I'm sure it'll be great when you do. Let us know.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

In initial research, I heard the pinch rollers get sticky...whatever that means exactly, I don't know, but guess it is not good. I've seen replacements on ebay, though. Heads I know are sacred, so we'll see. 200 hours, if correct, I can deal with. My 488 has probably 50, a quarter of that, and no wear whatsoever. I'm cautiously optimistic after communicating with him, though. I may need to troll for board suggestions...

 

[SteveMac]

In initial research, I heard the pinch rollers get sticky...whatever that means exactly, I don't know, but guess it is not good. I've seen replacements on ebay, though. Heads I know are sacred, so we'll see. 200 hours, if correct, I can deal with. My 488 has probably 50, a quarter of that, and no wear whatsoever. I'm cautiously optimistic after communicating with him, though. I may need to troll for board suggestions...

That roller actually looks fine to my eye. It looks more on the dry side. You can order replacement rollers through TASCAM and they might even be cheaper than ebay so try them first. If you even have to. They're not that expensive. I just ordered a new roller and a belt from TASCAM for my 38.

 

[arjoll]

Yeah, A Reel Person and Ghost have both gien good advice to me. I still don't understand the number "456" though. Maybe you can elaborate...is this a type of bias or width or mill?
Thanks again for new-comer to reel

'456' refers to Quantegy 456 tape (or Ampex 456, but watch any Ampex >12 or so years old). There are a number of other brands/types of tape which are 'bias compatible' with Quantegy 456, but these are currently all out of production so its easier to stick with Quantegy.

PS---Anyone know what section should I ask about cheap (temp) boards? Of my short-lived HR frequency, I have never had to ask this question...but I guess I do now. Pres will eventually come into play, but for now I have a JoeMeek recording channel...until I deal with something other than my DM Pro and multiple drum channels, probably not that important right now.

It seems to be in 'Other Equipment' although I've seen questions about mixers almost everywhere here! As for the rest - I must admit that my background in this area is primarily live sound and radio production where issues like outboard preamps haven't really come in to it!

In terms of cheaper mixers I'd recommend against Behringer. They're cheap but you do pay for what you get - I really regret getting a UB2442FX for Church instead of say a Mackie CFX series. Mackie is still cheap, but nowhere near as nasty as Behringer. For recording you really should be looking at something more like either a used Tascam or a Mackie 24-8 (which isn't exactly cheap!).

Cya
Andrew

 

[Seeker of Rock]

For recording you really should be looking at something more like either a used Tascam or a Mackie 24-8 (which isn't exactly cheap!).

Thanks for the clarification on tape!!
Unfortunately at this point, it's probably more of an "upgrade later" situation. I need something inexpensive now. Of the inexpensives, any less crappy than the others I should look at?
Thanks, man.

 

[Drupoet]

RMGI 911 1/2" tape

Apparently I have a TASCAM MSR-16 on the way. Need to buy some tape to check it out when it arrives, as well to record once I get settled into it. I was told Ampex 456, and a couple of others. I don't know about numbers on tape and this it the first time using reel. What should I look out for and any ideas on where I should buy it?

RMGI 911 is the tape to use if it's calibrated for 456 Ampex.......make sure the counter roller (right of pinch roller) is in good shape...if you try to clean it & find the rubber is sticky & pasty then you need a new counter roller. Great analog deck.....there is also a remote RC-416 that was made for the MSR-16 if you can find one ..

 

[chronicle]

ummm, not bad for a first post. Unfortunately, that post you replied to was..ahem.. 2005.

 

[chronicle]

Oh, btw, I'm putting a RC-416 on ebay in a few days if anyone is interested. Or you can PM me. In fact, I'll be putting quite a few things on ebay, like a Tascam 42b in MINT shape. Only used once since buying it 7 years ago. Heads are perfect.